Patterns of Interaction Within Violent Families: Use of Social Interaction Research Methodology

• NCJ Number: 210038
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 17 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2002 Pages: 824-835
• Author(s): Anthony J. Urquiza; Susan G. Timmer
• Date Published: August 2002
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH54221 R21
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health; Sierra Health Foundation
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes the advantages of examining the contextual aspects of interpersonal violence, observational analysis techniques to assist interpersonal violence research, and limitations of the application of social interaction research in violent relationships.

Abstract

Existing research in the area of interpersonal violence has provided valuable insight into many characteristics of victims, perpetrators, and the environment in which violence occurs, thereby providing a better understanding of the risk factors associated with these violent events. Future research into interpersonal violence may involve the examination of the context of abusive relationships with interpersonal violence being an inherent characteristic of an abusive relationship. To examine if observational research methods will preserve the sequential nature of the interpersonal interaction, a study of the effect of mothers’ control styles and children’s compliance styles on the children’s internalization of mothers’ instructions not to play with certain toys is described. It is argued that observational methods and sequential analysis procedures are underused in interpersonal violence research and there is a need to further develop these methods to advance the field. Although there are limitations to these methods, it is advocated that the use of observational methods and sequential analysis will be a more accurate modeling of the dynamics of violence. References